This is a blog about Singapore and our social and business connectivity with the world. It is about what's happening in Singapore and outside Singapore and how we can thrive and survive in an increasingly flatter world.

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George YeoMinister of Foreign Affairs, Singapore. Guest Columnist of BeyondSG. He is on Facebook. Readers are welcome to join his Facebook network at http://www.facebook.com/georgeyeopage

Harold FockEntrepreneur (Chief Editor of BeyondSG).
Deputy CEO/CFO of a listed technology company in Asia and CEO of Foundation Capital Pte Ltd, a hedge fund based in Singapore.

July 06, 2010

Aceh and Singapore

This was my fourth visit to Aceh after the Boxing Day Tsunami in 2004, my third to Meulaboh.On my first visit in 2005, the landscape was devastated.There were no animals.A year later, I could see visible improvement even though many people were still living in tents.This time, life had returned to normal.Shops were well-stocked, even the buffalos looked healthy and one almost got knocked by a car in our convoy.

Governor Irwandi Yusuf has become a close friend.He told me many stories about his years as a GAM leader, his chance arrest and how he narrowly escaped drowning when the tsunami flooded his prison.With peace, there is hope for Aceh.Foreign aid has improved the infrastructure. The province has abundant natural resources and good agricultural land.Acehnese are known to be traders.Although the economy has cooled a little with financial assistance tapering off, the overall conditions for economic development are much better.

Because of the tsunami, Aceh has become closer to Singapore and Singaporeans.The SAF played a significant role in the rescue effort.

Since then, the Singapore Red Cross, Mercy Relief, the Singapore International Foundation and many other Singapore NGOs have contributed much.I had the honour to open first the pier and, this time, the new hospital, in Meulaboh and a school for orphans in Banda Aceh.Last week, the World Bank agreed to partner us in helping build up the administrative capacity in Meulaboh.In helping others, we help ourselves and become a better people.